Free as Air
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"Free as Air" is a British musical with music by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade, and book and lyrics by Dorothy Reynolds. The show premiered in London's West End in 1957, and revolves around the lives of the inhabitants of an imaginary Balkan state of Slavonia. The story follows the efforts of the people of Slavonia to win independence from their neighboring state, which is ruled by a tyrannical prince. The prince, however, is more interested in his own pleasures than in ruling his country, and when a troupe of traveling players arrives in Slavonia, he finds himself caught up in their world.
The show's score features several catchy tunes, including the opening number "Free as Air", the romantic duet "All for You", and the rousing chorus number "We Want to Be Free". The show also includes several comic numbers, including "The Prince's Dog", a song about the prince's pampered pet, and "The Wind of Change", which pokes fun at the political situation in Slavonia.
Despite its success in London, "Free as Air" did not transfer to Broadway, although it has been revived several times in the UK. The show's mix of comedy, romance, and political satire, along with its memorable score, has made it a favorite of amateur theater groups.